Chapter 240: The Beginning of the Great Change on the First Layer

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen quickly signed the contract with Wang Yin.

Before they left, Wang Yin spoke, "Oh, by the way, since we're all part of the same company, there are a few things I feel it's appropriate to mention now. Regarding Netherworld University, if you're interested in attending, I can help introduce you to some teachers. Everyone in my family graduated from Netherworld University. If you enroll there in the future, just mention my name if you need anything. If you have any specific requests, you can also tell me. I'll talk to their admissions office and see about getting you some preferential treatment. If you join Netherworld University, you'll be considered my juniors."

On the way home, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were secretly thrilled as they looked at the money in their accounts. Zhang Yu already had over 4.7 million in his original account, and with the 5 million Chairman Wang gave them today, his balance reached a staggering 9.7 million.

"With an additional 4 million income every month, I'll definitely be able to buy a Heavenly Spirit Root and complete Foundation Establishment before graduating from high school!" he thought. "Even factoring in the 1.7 million loan and interest I owe, and the 3.3 million interest-free loan from the Foundation Establishment exam... even with all that, it'll certainly be enough." This thought filled Zhang Yu with excitement, and his previous dilemma about university and majors temporarily faded away. "I'll complete Foundation Establishment in high school, and then see what offers those universities are willing to make."

Bai Zhenzhen said, "Chairman Wang is from Netherworld University. If he's looking out for us, doesn't that give us another option?"

Zhang Yu nodded slightly, "Sigh, now I'm even more conflicted."

Fuki looked at the excited Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen and reminded them, "It's rare luck to encounter someone so generous with money. Now, you must work hard. Do whatever he asks of you. If you can please him and maintain a good relationship, you might even have opportunities for part-time work and earning money on the second layer in the future."

Bai Zhenzhen asked, "Aren't people who come down from above usually demoted?"

Fuki replied, "The Oasis Group is clearly planning a major move this time, targeting the entire market of Kunxu's first layer. Judging by Wang Yin's demeanor and his semi-automatic talismans, he's most likely here to gain experience and prestige. Maintain a good relationship with him; it will make things easier for you when you enter university."

In the following days, apart from cultivating his Dao Heart and constantly striving to reach Dao Heart Level 10, Zhang Yu spent his time reviewing his studies and learning some cultivation techniques freely provided by Songyang High School. Since the cultivation techniques were free, there was no reason not to learn them. Sometimes, he would also search for other sets on the Chain Law Diagram, such as the martial arts required by the Dragon Descendants and Heavenly Martial Battle Heart. However, he only saved them for later; he would only consider practicing them if he had extra money after purchasing the Heavenly Spirit Root in the future. His sole focus was on accumulating enough money to buy the Heavenly Spirit Root and complete Foundation Establishment quickly. Thus, even though Zhang Yu now possessed a large sum of money, he was reluctant to spend much. Furthermore, aside from his Dao Heart, his spiritual energy and physical strength had already reached the limit for Qi Refining, significantly reducing his need for cultivation time.

For a while, apart from constantly maintaining his mental cultivation method and continuing to refine his Dao Heart, Zhang Yu surprisingly had no other cultivation pressures. "It's been a long time since I've had such relaxed days, cultivating only my Dao Heart for 24 hours," he thought. Faced with this sudden easy life, Zhang Yu became somewhat unaccustomed to it. Seeing Bai Zhenzhen diligently practicing new martial arts and deducing new cultivation methods, and his classmates diligently cultivating and studying, Zhang Yu even felt a sense of guilt. "I shouldn't be wasting time," he decided. He simply took more time to tutor in the dark tutoring world, intending to earn enough money quickly to buy the Heavenly Spirit Root. Time quickly passed without him noticing.

While Zhang Yu was living a leisurely life, Li Xuelian's phone suddenly rang. She answered, surprised, "Dad?"

Master Xinghuo's slightly weary voice came through, "Help me contact Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen. I need to meet these two disciples next month."

Li Xuelian hesitated, "But you told me to reject Zhang Yu back then..."

Master Xinghuo said, "If I say they are my disciples, then they are. In any case, I'll find a time to talk with them. Sigh, I was supposed to come this month, but the company suddenly assigned another task, so I have to work overtime until next month."

February arrived in the blink of an eye. Zhang Yu's savings also reached over 15 million. Over the past month, while Zhang Yu lived leisurely, he also heard about many changes within Songyang City. Competition between some companies ceased, while it intensified among others. More companies exchanged shares and announced partnerships with the Oasis Group. Even without calculating precisely, Zhang Yu could feel, simply by walking down the street, that more and more Oasis Group logos were appearing.

On this particular day, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, at Wang Yin's invitation, arrived within the Red Pagoda's protected area. However, today the protected area was reserved by the Oasis Group. All invited guests could breathe freely and absorb spiritual energy without worrying about fees.

"What an extravagant gesture," Bai Zhenzhen said, taking a deep breath and smiling joyfully. "I never thought the day would come when we could breathe freely in a protected area."

Zhang Yu said, "Chairman Wang is certainly generous. Let's hurry. I heard he invited people from various powerful families and companies in Songyang City today. It seems Chairman Wang might be planning something new."

The two quickly arrived at the center of the venue, where they saw powerful family scions and company elites, all dressed in luxurious attire. The venue was filled with various foods, and even expensive elixirs were available for people to consume freely. From a distance, one could smell the strong scent of Dao Heart buffer agents. In the very center of the crowd, Wang Yin was surrounded by a large group, like stars revolving around the moon, with laughter erupting from time to time.

Bai Zhenzhen exclaimed, "Damn, a bunch of sycophants are all fawning over Chairman Wang! We should hurry up too, or there won't be any space left!"

Not long after Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen approached, they suddenly spotted a familiar face. "Ye Lingxiao?!" Zhang Yu was slightly stunned and then looked at the people beside Ye Lingxiao. "They're all from Xiandu, aren't they? Did they follow Chairman Wang all the way here?"

Almost as soon as Zhang Yu saw him, Ye Lingxiao also spotted Zhang Yu, and his heart tightened. These people from Xiandu had come to Songyang specifically to get close to Wang Yin, assist him, and build a good relationship with him. The moment they saw Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, Ye Lingxiao and the other Xiandu natives' faces flashed with a hint of hostility. And when they saw Wang Yin beckon, drawing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen to his side and announcing them as the future spokespersons for the Oasis Group, the hostility on Ye Lingxiao and the others' faces intensified.

Sheng Jie, who had won the spiritual energy track championship, looked at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen standing on either side of Chairman Wang, his eyes full of jealousy. "Damn, are these two so good at brown-nosing?"

Ye Lingxiao thought to himself, "Chairman Wang really favors these two." At that moment, they all understood that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were their biggest rivals under Wang Yin. However, seeing how much Wang Yin appreciated the two, Ye Lingxiao and the others naturally wouldn't risk incurring Chairman Wang's displeasure. They merely resolved to find various ways to please him and strengthen their relationship in the future.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, both the people from Xiandu and the powerful families of Songyang City took turns flattering Chairman Wang, currying favor with the young master of the Oasis Group. During the gathering, Wang Yin announced the upcoming opportunities for Oasis Company, which would involve collaborating with local powerful families from many cities on the first layer to fully promote the Oasis Group's synthetic food, new body refining techniques, and new bloodline technologies.

Wang Yin raised his glass and said, "May the descendants of all your families from now on be exceptionally talented, able to pass the exams for the Top Ten Universities/Sects, be admitted into sects, and contribute to Kunxu." Everyone raised their glasses in response, cheering.

Just then, Zhang Yu spotted a familiar face among the servers: "An'an?" Little panda An'an clearly saw Zhang Yu too, grinned at him, and wagged his tail.

As the gathering progressed, people drank and took elixirs, and the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. At this point, Wang Yin, whose eyes were somewhat hazy after consuming many elixirs, looked at a limping demon-kin server, shook his head, and said, "How pitiful. Open your mouth. I'll grant you a stroke of good fortune." With that, Chairman Wang spat into the other's mouth. The next moment, the demon-kin cried out in surprise as his previously limping leg gradually healed. Those around them immediately showered him with compliments.

Wang Yin laughed heartily and said, "This is our Oasis Group's new technology. The human body is like unrefined gold and jade; once developed, every inch of it becomes a divine object." After saying this, he looked at the other eager demon-kin servers, laughed, and said, "Come on, everyone! I'm in a good mood today, so I'll grant it to all of you."

Zhang Yu watched as the demon-kin servers opened their mouths wide, scrambling to receive Chairman Wang's saliva, and listened to the guests around them burst into laughter. He was slightly stunned and felt a vague discomfort. However, seeing the demon-kin's excited and grateful expressions after swallowing the saliva, he also felt that this seemed quite normal. "After all, to them, a mouthful of Chairman Wang's saliva is a potent medicine they couldn't afford otherwise." Just then, Zhang Yu saw An'an, holding a cup, also pushing his way into the crowd, clearly hoping to catch a mouthful or two of Chairman Wang's saliva. "He brought a cup to catch it... Is it for Xiong Wenwu?" Watching An'an, after receiving the saliva, smell the fragrance from the cup with a look of satisfaction and retreat as if guarding a treasure, Zhang Yu's emotions became complex, and he suddenly didn't know what to say.

On the way back that night, Zhang Yu asked Bai Zhenzhen, "Ah Zhen, the Oasis Group's plan to unite with powerful families everywhere will only strengthen corporate monopolies, make local aristocratic families more formidable, and leave the poor with even less hope, right?"

Bai Zhenzhen replied casually, "Probably. Why do you ask?"

Fuki reminded him, "This is the general trend; it's not something small people like us can control. Don't overthink it."

A few days later, at the Oasis Group's press conference. With the strong support of the powerful families, the press conference was being broadcast everywhere: in countless elementary, middle, and high schools, company cafeterias, and on public transport. At the press conference, the host spoke about the unique nature of the high school Foundation Establishment exam, the power of the Foundation Establishment certificate, and the achievements of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.

"...As long as you consistently consume the Oasis Group's green food, everyone will have the opportunity in the future, just like Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, to transform from an ordinary student into a high school academic prodigy, even passing the Foundation Establishment exam, soaring to great heights, and entering the Top Ten!" As the host spoke, he handed the microphone to Zhang Yu, asking him to say a few words.

Zhang Yu looked at the many ordinary high school students in the audience, recalled the lines he had memorized, and a trace of hesitation suddenly surged within him. Bai Zhenzhen nudged him. Fuki urged, "What are you gawking at? Hurry up and say your lines!"

Zhang Yu swallowed hard and said, "I... was originally just an ordinary student. It was the Oasis Group's green food that changed me. By eating green food, improving your aptitude, and strengthening your body, each of you will have the opportunity to, like me... like me... pass the Foundation Establishment exam."

That evening, Chairman Wang invited Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen to another gathering. From a vast pool of blood, Chairman Wang slowly emerged, smiling slightly at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen. He said, "Zhang Yu, Zhenzhen, our great contributors, you've arrived just in time. This is the Blood God Pool, which I built using the immortal cultivation techniques of Netherworld Palace. Come quickly and immerse yourselves; it can improve your physique, extend your lifespan, enhance your wisdom, and greatly benefit your future Foundation Establishment."

Zhang Yu hesitated and asked, "This blood pool is..."

Chairman Wang laughed heartily and said, "Don't worry, it's all heart blood that I purchased at a high price from powerful Qi Refining peak experts. It's absolutely clean, the purest essence." As he spoke, he had already stepped out of the blood pool and kindly pulled Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen into it. Chairman Wang said cordially, "Come, it's a good opportunity for me to teach you the Blood Qi Scripture in this blood pool today. This is a fundamental skill of Netherworld University, refining the physical body with the essence in blood. If you learn it early now, you'll have an advantage when you enter Netherworld University in the future. Don't worry about copyright; I have the right to teach it. Consider this cultivation method my gift to you."

Ye Lingxiao and Sheng Jie stood outside the blood pool, watching the scene with expressions of intense jealousy, wishing they were the ones receiving the instruction.

Under the Oasis Group's promotion, the story of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, from common backgrounds, making rapid academic progress within a year, obtaining Foundation Establishment certificates, gaining Foundation Establishment qualifications, and having their pick of the Top Ten Universities/Sects, quickly spread far and wide, making them revered figures among countless students and parents. Meanwhile, the Oasis Group's synthetic food continued to gain ground, capturing an even larger market share.

Li Xuelian's gaze swept over a link that popped up on her phone. Seeing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen in the video, she thought to herself, "Is this the Oasis Group... or is it Netherworld Palace, and what do they want?" Just then, her phone vibrated, followed by Master Xinghuo's voice.

"Daughter, please apologize to Zhang Yu and the others for me. I have another temporary mission here..." Amidst crackling and popping sounds, Li Xuelian seemed to hear words like "god." Master Xinghuo then continued, "Please schedule it for next month. Once I finish this overtime, I'll definitely come over and meet them."